AP's Brent Kallestad Retires After 40 Years

Published: Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 11:33 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 11:33 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE | Veteran newsman Brent Kallestad retired Friday from The Associated Press after a 40-year career with the news organization.

Kallestad spent his last 26 years in Tallahassee, where he covered Florida State University sports and state politics after being named correspondent in 1986. He covered FSU football coach Bobby Bowden's unparalleled run of 14 straight seasons with 10 wins or more. He reported on former Gov. Jeb Bush's political career, including being first to report that Bush was running for governor in 1998.

A native of Miller, S.D., Kallestad had his first paid job in journalism as a middle school student in the late 1950s, earning 20 cents a story covering high school basketball for The Miller Press. After high school, Kallestad enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was journalist for four years.

Kallestad graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1972 and immediately joined the AP as a writer in the Sioux Falls, S.D., bureau. Later that year, he became the Fargo, N.D., correspondent.

In 1974, Kallestad became a sportswriter in the Minneapolis bureau, covering the Minnesota Vikings' last two Super Bowl teams and the peak of Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew's career.

Kallestad also had stops in Bismarck, N.D., and Kansas City, Mo., where he was a broadcast executive.

"I've known Brent throughout his AP career. He is a tireless worker who always came through when deadlines were closing in," said Gary Clark, a former Florida bureau chief. "His talents were many, whether it was general reporting, sports, administrative work or sales. Brent was always available for any assignment. When he was on my staff, I always knew Brent would step up and cover the story."

AP also will be losing one of its great ambassadors. Kallestad often shared his pride in the news organization with sources and colleagues.

"AP existed for 125 years before I arrived and somehow survived 40 with me," said Kallestad. "I'm confident it will remain the world's largest and most admired news organization for another couple of centuries. I'll miss its mission, but mostly its people."

<p>TALLAHASSEE | Veteran newsman Brent Kallestad retired Friday from The Associated Press after a 40-year career with the news organization. </p><p>Kallestad spent his last 26 years in Tallahassee, where he covered Florida State University sports and state politics after being named correspondent in 1986. He covered FSU football coach Bobby Bowden's unparalleled run of 14 straight seasons with 10 wins or more. He reported on former Gov. Jeb Bush's political career, including being first to report that Bush was running for governor in 1998. </p><p>A native of Miller, S.D., Kallestad had his first paid job in journalism as a middle school student in the late 1950s, earning 20 cents a story covering high school basketball for The Miller Press. After high school, Kallestad enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was journalist for four years. </p><p>Kallestad graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1972 and immediately joined the AP as a writer in the Sioux Falls, S.D., bureau. Later that year, he became the Fargo, N.D., correspondent. </p><p>In 1974, Kallestad became a sportswriter in the Minneapolis bureau, covering the Minnesota Vikings' last two Super Bowl teams and the peak of Baseball Hall of Famer Rod Carew's career. </p><p>Kallestad also had stops in Bismarck, N.D., and Kansas City, Mo., where he was a broadcast executive. </p><p>"I've known Brent throughout his AP career. He is a tireless worker who always came through when deadlines were closing in," said Gary Clark, a former Florida bureau chief. "His talents were many, whether it was general reporting, sports, administrative work or sales. Brent was always available for any assignment. When he was on my staff, I always knew Brent would step up and cover the story." </p><p>AP also will be losing one of its great ambassadors. Kallestad often shared his pride in the news organization with sources and colleagues. </p><p>"AP existed for 125 years before I arrived and somehow survived 40 with me," said Kallestad. "I'm confident it will remain the world's largest and most admired news organization for another couple of centuries. I'll miss its mission, but mostly its people."</p>